photo by Eataly
Travel
Where to Drink (And Eat) When It’s Too Cold to Do Anything Outside
True fact: The one thing it is absolutely never too cold outside for is a warming, delicious drink. And boy, do we have some good places where you can get just such a thing. Need a little something to nosh while you’re de-chilling...
photo by Eataly
True fact: The one thing it is absolutely never too cold outside for is a warming, delicious drink. And boy, do we have some good places where you can get just such a thing. Need a little something to nosh while you’re de-chilling with said drink? We’ve got plenty of options for that too.
From a taste bud centric Chinese restaurant in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood to an old fashioned wine bar in London to a Stockholm restaurant that exclusively uses wood fire to cook, we’re seeking to warm you up on the chilliest of days. Whether you’re dreading winter in Paris, NYC, Amsterdam, Chicago or elsewhere, we’ve got you covered.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
From a taste bud centric Chinese restaurant in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood to an old fashioned wine bar in London to a Stockholm restaurant that exclusively uses wood fire to cook, we’re seeking to warm you up on the chilliest of days. Whether you’re dreading winter in Paris, NYC, Amsterdam, Chicago or elsewhere, we’ve got you covered.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Set inside Stockholm’s sleek, stylish hotel, At Six, is just the dining room you’ll want to be in on a cold, dark day. The sommelier here can guide you through the extensive wine collection and recommend something that’ll pair perfectly with whatever you choose to nosh on.
The colorful, beautiful space at Bar Central Birger Jarlsgatan should be enough to warm your spirits. But just in case, there are over 200 wines on the list here to sip on to get you feeling warm from the belly up.
If the scent of the wood-fired oven alone isn’t enough to draw you into this warm and cozy space, let the wine menu be the reason. Here, you can sip on a beautiful bottle of Beaujolais while dining on a set menu that includes charcoal grilled lobster with forest mushrooms and celeriac, among other smoky, fired-up goodness.
If you’re visiting NYC and haven’t been to an Eataly yet, do yourself a favor and head to their Downtown or Flatiron location. The Italian marketplace with tasting rooms is a bit of an international phenomenon, a place where you can simply grab a bite to eat, shop the market or take a workshop to learn a new cooking skill.
This well-known cocktail bar has a long list of vintage concoctions and inventive new drinks to choose from, as well as a solid list of whiskeys. Should you find yourself in lower Manhattan looking to warm up in a pub with really good offerings, The Dead Rabbit should make the cut.
Escape the frigid outdoors and try your hand at indoor shuffleboard at the Royal Palms. This Brooklyn game spot is home to the largest shuffleboard league in the world, but you certainly don’t have to be pro-status to have a good time around here.
On those days when the cold streets of New York gets you down, a trip to Freemans Restaurant on Rivington is sure to boost you back up. This colonial American tavern offers a simple, rustic, old world menu with good wine and creative cocktails.
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We all know the smaller the restaurant in Paris, the better the food. Restaurant L’Assiette lives up to that hype, with Michelin star chef David Rathgeber at the helm. The food here is solid, with classic French staples like terrines and pâtés that’ll perfectly complement your carafe of wine.
This classic Parisian bistro is exactly the kind of place you’ll want to waste away a few warm hours savoring dishes that are beautifully crafted and absolutely comforting. The Art Deco setting has been a restaurant for over a century, with some truly amazing chefs in the ring.
Feeling a more modern Parisian vibe on a blustery day? Look to Restaurant Cléo for its inventive all-day menus, all-French wines and all-gorgeous setting within Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel.
Seafood and libations. Need we say more? Bootleg Special does all these things and more, with boils that include shrimp, crawfish, mussels, clams, corn, potatoes, and Andouille sausage. In our book, there’s really nothing more warming than that.
Ready to escape the Boston freeze? Head to Frenchie and you’ll feel like you’re in Paris on a slightly warmer day. The wine list here is self-described as awesome, and the menu has all those good French classics like foie gras and escargot that’ll warm your bones.
This fun-loving, bright and inventive Chinese restaurant in RiNo seeks to warm you up via your taste buds. Spicy, salty, smoky, juicy, soupy, crunchy – it’s all in the cards at Hop Alley. And to top it off, there’s a most excellent cider list.
Bigsby's Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant
Denver, Colorado
This craft winery and cellar door in RiNo is a great place to sip on local wine and learn a bit about the process. Plus, the 132-year-old building makes for a gorgeous setting where you’ll feel instantly warmer and more inspired to tackle another winter’s eve.
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Located inside Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel, The Corner Room is a 30-seat restaurant with a focus on approachable French fare. The restoration of the Art Deco building is stunning, and there’s an unmistakably welcoming charm to this spot that does all-day dining.
Head into The Albion on a cold and windy London day and sit down beside the fireplace. Order up a round of Old Fashioneds for the table along with a charcuterie board and some buttermilk chicken bites with rosemary salt, and prepare to enjoy the surrounds.
An old English manse set in the heart of Notting Hill, Beach Blanket Babylon is renowned for its legendary parties and glamorous Rococo styling. Inside you’ll find six fireplaces, making it really easy to curl up with a generous pour of scotch at the bar.
Known as London’s oldest wine bar, Gordon’s has been slinging fine wines, sherries and ports since 1890. The walls are covered in old newspaper clippings and memorabilia, the lighting is low with the glow of candles and the atmosphere is sure to warm you up on the coldest of days.
Looking to get out of the cold and into a charming little wine bar for the afternoon in Prinsenstraat? Make a beeline to Café de Klepel to choose from one of the 30 glasses of wine or 300 bottles on offer.
Pick your warm-up medley from the beer bar, wine and G&T bar, or the full bar at Foodhallen. This action-packed indoor food market is also home to 20 different food stalls with everything from Michelin star concepts to international street foods.
If you’re even remotely interested in natural wines, Glou Glou wine bar and bottle shop is your jam. This spot just recently opened up in November 2018 and it’s a total find.
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The chef at Bellemore describes his food as “bold, bright and beautiful,” and we’d say the space reflects exactly that. Head here to forget about the forever-long winter in Chicago and enjoy layered flavors from an award-winning chef with well-rounded libations too.
Dark, moody and a great place to grab a good, strong drink, Maude’s Liquor Bar is sure to make you forget about the snowy weather outside. The romantic setting makes a great date spot, while a seat at the bar will have you in the middle of the action if you’re hanging with friends.
From the team behind Girl and the Goat, Little Goat Diner is a casual diner and bakery that makes it easy to head indoors for a good meal day or night. Be sure to stick around for dessert too, as these guys serve some of the best sweets around.
Walking into The Copper Hen is like getting a big hug from your grandmother. It’s warm, it’s comforting and it’s exactly what you need after a long, cold day. There’s a full bar here with a farm-to-table cocktail menu, and everything on the brunch and dinner menus is made in-house.
This small batch craft distillery offers a wide range of spirits and liqueurs, which are served in inventive cocktails that are sure to warm you up on a chilly day. Need something to nosh on too? Check out the impressive charcuterie provisions.
This solid neighborhood joint is easy to pop into with friends or just on a walk through the area. Regarding the winter food offerings that change daily, think bone-in pork chops or carrot ravioli. As for the drinks, carefully selected beers, wines, ciders and some really good cocktails make the cut.
The open kitchen and wood-burning hearth at the center of this beautiful restaurant create an ambience of warmth, interaction and friendly hospitality. The food here ranges from snacks and small plates to family style mains, and the cocktail menu this time of year is particularly fun with cocktails like a mulled cobbler that’ll warm you from within.
The wine bar at The Little Pearl is an absolute favorite of ours when in DC. There’s a great selection of orange wines and rosés if you’re feeling like something light, or you might opt to dip into the international offerings and go with a rich glass of Loire Valley Pinot.
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If you’re looking for a go-all-out dining experience to escape the outdoor chill, the chef’s tasting menu at Iron Gate is sure to impress. Do yourself a solid and opt for the wine pairings with this 5-course extravaganza.
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